The Ark

The Ark Hall Bank, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 0RF

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 January 2016 16 June 2009

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The registered person and staff demonstrate an excellent understanding of how children learn and develop, both in the moment and over time. Staff show high levels of enthusiasm and commitment, and demonstrate very high expectations for all children in their care.  The registered person expertly monitors the educational programmes throughout the nursery. Children's starting points include what they already know and can do from the outset. Consequently, planning for their learning is precise from the time they enter the nursery. As a result, children's progress is exceptional.  Partnerships with parents, other providers and professionals are excellent. Parents confidently promote their child's learning at home. Parents and children join with staff for Saturday morning group walks in the local and wider areas. Children take manageable risks in their play and develop their physical skills.  Children develop exceptionally strong emotional attachments with their key persons. All

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This provision is outstanding

staff are warm and loving towards the children and promote high levels of positive interaction with them throughout the day. This helps children to settle quickly into the nursery and build very good friendships with other children.  The staff take children on an extensive range of outings to places of interest, such as the florist and other shops. They bring in visitors, such as the police, ambulance and fire service to talk to the children and ignite their imagination. These are some of the excellent ways in which staff support children's interest in the world around them.  Children are supported very well through times of change. This includes the move on to school. Staff talk to the children about what school is like and try to make it a positive and exciting experience. They work closely with staff from the school and share information with them to ensure consistency in children's learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 focus even more precisely on exploring ways to gather children's views about the nursery, to further enhance the already excellent outcomes children achieve.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the registered provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the registered person. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a selection of the staff during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents and acknowledged a range of written comments provided for the day of inspection, taking into account all of their views.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The registered person makes sure all staff attend child protection training. This ensures that they know about the possible signs of abuse and neglect, and what to do should they have any concerns about a child. All staff make sure the indoor and outdoor areas are effectively risk assessed to protect children from any potential hazards. The registered person and all of the staff are experienced and well qualified. All staff receive high levels of coaching from the registered person and their room leaders. Their childcare practice is regularly observed so that appropriate training needs can be clearly identified over time. Staff are provided with regular one-to-one support so they can talk about confidential matters. The registered person regularly reviews and evaluates the nursery practice. She has identified that there is the potential to develop further ways of gaining children's views of their nursery. She

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is outstanding

recognises that this will further enhance the already first-rate practice and as a result, continue to support children's rapid progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

All staff use highly effective strategies to get to know the children well and initial observations help them to successfully plan for children's developmental progression. Precise next steps for all children's learning are clearly identified. Key persons effectively share children's next steps of learning with parents. Staff provide an excellent range of learning experiences for children of all ages. All children are extremely confident and self- assured. They make their own choices about what to do and where to play. Older children use their senses and imaginations as they play in the wooded garden areas. Here, they thoroughly enjoy mixing potions at the well-resourced mud kitchen, using a range of real tools. Toddlers show enthusiasm as they talk with each other about decorating their new house as they move in and out of the play sheds. Babies wear all-weather suits so they can move between the indoor and outdoor areas, excitedly exploring and investigating

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

their environment. Staff follow children's leads as they play, supporting them through excellent interaction and ongoing running commentary. These are some of the excellent teaching strategies used by staff to promote all children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

The staff provide a range of healthy foods for mealtimes and teach children about developing healthy eating habits. Extensive opportunities for children to be physically active outdoors help them to be aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Children's behaviour is excellent. They demonstrate high levels of regard for one another and for the staff caring for them.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Staff monitor all children, including groups of children. This ensures their learning needs are fully identified and met. Assessment is rigorous. This helps to make sure that all children's learning and development are rapid. Furthermore, this significantly fosters children's readiness for the move to school. Consequently, all children, including those in receipt of nursery educational funding, are making excellent progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY320350 Local authority Shropshire Inspection number 849087 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 88 Name of provider Ark Childcare (UK) Limited Date of previous inspection 16 June 2009 Telephone number 01743791540

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Setting details

The Ark was registered in 2006. It is one of three provisions operated by the registered person. The nursery employs 18 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold Early Years Teacher status, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5 and 13 hold level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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